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Vasiliy KozlovskiySquadron commander of the 810th Attack Aviation Regiment
Date of Birth: 21.02.1920
Country:  Ukraine |
Content:
Biography of Vasily Kozlovsky
Early Life and Military Career
Vasily Ivanovich Kozlovsky was born on February 21, 1920, in the village of Molchanovka, currently located in the Rakitnyansky district of the Kiev region, in a working-class family. In 1932, he and his parents moved to Makeevka, Donetsk region. Kozlovsky completed 10 grades of school and joined an aeroclub in 1938. He worked as an instructor at the aeroclub before joining the Red Army in 1940. A year later, he graduated from the Tambov Military Aviation Pilot School.
In July 1942, Kozlovsky entered active service in the army. By mid-April 1944, he became the commander of the 810th Assault Aviation Regiment (225th Assault Aviation Division, 15th Air Army, 2nd Baltic Front). During his time as commander, he completed 103 combat flights, inflicting significant damage to the enemy's personnel and equipment.
Heroic Actions and Awards
On August 18, 1944, Vasily Kozlovsky was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his courage and military valor demonstrated in battles against the enemy. He received numerous decorations, including the Orders of Lenin, Red Banner (thrice), Alexander Nevsky, First Class of the Patriotic War (twice), Red Star, as well as several medals.
In 1953, Kozlovsky graduated from the Military-Political Academy. He retired from active duty in 1960 as a Colonel and settled in Moscow. After his military service, he worked in the State Committee of the Council of Ministers of the USSR for Foreign Economic Relations. Vasily Ivanovich Kozlovsky passed away on January 4, 1997, and was buried at the Troekurovskoye Cemetery.
Combat Experiences
The Battle for Voronezh
Vasily Kozlovsky entered the front lines in July 1942 as a fighter pilot and commander of various units. In August 1942, German tanks were advancing towards Voronezh, causing the city to be engulfed in flames. The residents were evacuating to the east, enduring constant attacks from enemy aircraft.
North of Voronezh, across the Don River, the Germans were establishing a bridgehead on the left bank. Kozlovsky's aviation assault regiment received orders to destroy the enemy's crossing. The regiment's commander, Kudryashov, selected four crews, including his own, to carry out the mission. The enemy's crossing was heavily fortified, but despite facing enemy fighter resistance, our assault aircraft struck the crossing and destroyed it.
During the aerial battle, Kudryashov's accurate strike caused one enemy fighter to crash. However, two of our planes caught fire and crashed into enemy defenses. Only two Soviet assault aircraft (Kudryashov's and Kozlovsky's) remained against eleven enemy fighters.
Ten Messerschmitts attacked Kudryashov's aircraft first, but seconds later, Kozlovsky went on the offensive, setting another enemy plane on fire. However, Kozlovsky's IL-2, engulfed in flames, also crashed to the ground. Enemy fighters from all directions unleashed a hail of fire on his aircraft. The stricken aircraft was difficult to control, but Kozlovsky managed to escape the cockpit by overturning the plane. The parachute opened just in time, helping extinguish the flames on his clothes. Soon, he felt the ground beneath his feet.
Actions on the Eastern Front
On November 6, 1942, on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the Great October Revolution, Kozlovsky's group was assigned the task of striking an enemy airfield near Kursk. The distance prevented them from launching the attack from their own airfield, so they decided to land near our front lines on any suitable landing area. Twelve assault aircraft and twelve escort fighters were dispatched for the mission. Under cover of darkness, the group conducted over 60 attacks on enemy targets, destroying or damaging around 100 aircraft, two fuel and ammunition depots, and ten anti-aircraft guns.
During the Battle of Kursk in 1943, Kozlovsky's squadron distinguished itself in aerial combat. They carried out over 600 sorties in the sweltering heat. Vasily Ivanovich was repeatedly shot down and picked up by our fighters while unconscious, burned, and wounded.
In one battle, an enemy shell hit the right wing of his aircraft, partially destroying it and causing the plane to tilt uncontrollably to the right. Despite this, Kozlovsky dropped his bombs on target but then felt another impact on his aircraft. It became almost impossible to control the nearly uncontrollable plane. Additionally, four enemy fighters attacked. Maneuvering the damaged and smoking plane, the pilot created favorable conditions for his air gunner. One German plane was shot down, while the other, damaged, evaded and came under the commander's aiming fire.
The aircraft descended, its engine smoking, while enemy attacks continued relentlessly. The gunner was severely wounded by shrapnel, and the machine gun was damaged. The tail controls were severed by a burst of fire from a Messerschmitt. The aircraft spiraled and hurtled towards the ground.
Kozlovsky ordered the gunner to abandon the plane, but his parachute had been torn by a shell. He had no choice but to perish with the aircraft. At that moment, Vasily Ivanovich realized that the cabin was jammed by a shell fragment, preventing the parachute from opening. It was too late. The ground was rapidly approaching. The aircraft, along with the crew, crashed into the ground.
In an exceptional occurrence, the crew, doomed to imminent death, miraculously survived. The plane, spiraling and rotating, landed on its wing, which softened the impact. The pilot and the gunner were thrown far from the aircraft. Unconscious, they were discovered by our soldiers. Vasily Ivanovich remained unconscious for four hours, but his young body overcame death's grip.
Overall Contributions
Throughout the war, Vasily Kozlovsky participated in 50 aerial battles. He personally shot down 12 enemy aircraft and destroyed 16 more during ground attacks on airfields. In addition to these achievements, he eliminated over 4,000 enemy soldiers, 530 vehicles, 98 anti-aircraft guns, 89 cannons, 30 mortars, 68 tanks, 67 wagons, 14 warehouses, and 5 locomotives. He also derailed 6 enemy convoys carrying combat equipment and personnel.
After the war, Vasily Ivanovich continued his service in the military until 1960. He then pursued a career in Moscow, working in the State Committee of the Council of Ministers of the USSR for Foreign Economic Relations.
